REVIEWS. 
47 
Of all botanical productions the ferns are, we think, the most difficult 
to represent by drawings ; of some we have never seen a perfect likeness, 
so impossible is it to catch their exact outline ; and we think the only re¬ 
medy for this would be, to call in the aid of the photographist, and thereby 
obtain figures which will represent those peculiarities which appertain to 
them, and which, though they be wanting in the majority of engravings, 
yet the best Ptendologist would find himself perplexed to point out exactly 
were the artist was in error. 
To such of our readers as cannot afford to buy the “fully-coloured 
copies,” we can recommend the half-coloured ones, as being equally useful; 
and the price at which they are published is such, as to place them within 
the reach of all. The engravings are forty-nine in number, and we have 
no hesitation in saying, that they should have a place in the library 
of every botanist. 
PHILIP B. WEBB, ESQ. 
The decease of this distinguished botanist took place in Paris, on Thursday, 
the 31st August, 1854, aged 61 years. Although a native of England, 
and proprietor of the beautiful estate, Milford House, Surrey, yet most of 
his time, of late years, was spent in Paris, where he found facilities for 
carrying on expensive scientific publications. He was born in July, 1793, 
and first went to Dr. Moore’s celebrated school, thence to Harrow, and 
afterwards to Christ Church, Oxford, where he took a first class, in 1815. 
The principal work published by Mr. Webb is his magnificent work, pub¬ 
lished in connection with M. Berthelot, the companion of his travels, 
entitled “ Histoire Naturelle des Isles Canaries,” par MM. P. B. Webb et 
S. Berthelot. This must rank amongst the most remarkable publications 
of the present day, and consists of three large quarto volumes, with plates 
and numerous maps. 
Mr. Webb was assigned the Legion of Honour by the Emperor, 
Napoleon III.; and Her Majesty Queen Isabella II., not only permitted 
his work, entitled “ Otia Hispanica,” folio, forty plates, to be dedicated 
to her, but conferred on him the Cross of the distinguished Order of 
